Mac Frampton concert preview

Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 05:30 PM.

Billboard Magazine has called him “an immensely talented pianist, at home in a wide variety of musical settings.”

The Atlanta Constitution wrote: “How one man can bring the rafters down in Symphony Hall as if a full orchestra were playing is a feat in itself. It’s consummate musicianship. Electrifying!”

Mac Frampton has been guest soloist with such orchestras as the Boston Pops, Mantovani , Cincinnati, Atlanta, and St. Louis. And now he’s returning to Gastonia in a Nov. 30 performance presented by the Gaston Concert Association.

He’s shared the stage with the likes of Bill Cosby, Glen Campbell, The Fifth Dimension, and Victor Borge . Yet, in 30 years as an entertainer, performing more than 3,000 concerts worldwide, Frampton has remained committed to a fundamental belief – music is a powerful form of communication, often able to speak more deeply than words.

“I can’t recall a time in my life when I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do,” says Mac.

AN EARLY START

A look at his early years confirms that fact. Born the son of a Presbyterian minister, he had lots of chances to test the piano playing waters: entertaining for church suppers, subbing for Sunday services, improvising “Here Comes The Bride” for a home wedding, playing the Sunday School hymns on creaky old uprights. Quite an exciting lifestyle for a boy of eight.

DETAILS: The price of tickets includes admission to the remaining concerts of the 2012-13 season, plus the 2012-13 seasons of the Iredell, Stanly County, Lincoln County and Sumter-Shaw Concert Associations, and the Randolph Community Concert Associations. Tickets are $45 for adults; free for children in grades K-12 accompanied by an adult; and $15 for high school students attending alone and college students.

MORE INFORMATION: Contact Carolyn Spencer, 704-867-7166.

HED:

From staff reports

Billboard Magazine has called him “an immensely talented pianist, at home in a wide variety of musical settings.”

The Atlanta Constitution wrote: “How one man can bring the rafters down in Symphony Hall as if a full orchestra were playing is a feat in itself. It’s consummate musicianship. Electrifying!”

Mac Frampton has been guest soloist with such orchestras as the Boston Pops, Mantovani , Cincinnati, Atlanta, and St. Louis. And now he’s returning to Gastonia in a Nov. 30 performance presented by the Gaston Concert Association.

He’s shared the stage with the likes of Bill Cosby, Glen Campbell, The Fifth Dimension, and Victor Borge . Yet, in 30 years as an entertainer, performing more than 3,000 concerts worldwide, Frampton has remained committed to a fundamental belief – music is a powerful form of communication, often able to speak more deeply than words.

“I can’t recall a time in my life when I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do,” says Mac.

AN EARLY START

A look at his early years confirms that fact. Born the son of a Presbyterian minister, he had lots of chances to test the piano playing waters: entertaining for church suppers, subbing for Sunday services, improvising “Here Comes The Bride” for a home wedding, playing the Sunday School hymns on creaky old uprights. Quite an exciting lifestyle for a boy of eight.

Today, Mac Frampton carries his musical electricity to audiences around the world. But through it all the memories of childhood linger as some of the sweetest.

“I remember my first combo,” he said. “Two clarinets, trombone, and piano. I wrote the arrangements and we played at a church men’s supper. My six-year-old sister came on stage to sing the finale, and when we finished the audience started throwing things at us. It made us nervous until we realized they were throwing money!”

Suddenly his piano lessons were invested with a renewed dedication. After high school Mac continued his musical education at Erskine College in his home state of South Carolina and at the Cincinnati Conservatory, where he received his master’s and doctoral degrees. Recognition with a special medal in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition followed, establishing him as a classical pianist with legitimate credentials.

A NEW DIRECTION

It was at the Cliburn Competition that Mac began to seriously consider an alternative to a classical career.

“I was at a farewell reception and some of the contestants who knew I improvised pop and jazz asked me to play a few tunes,” he said. “I had just started when Van Cliburn himself walked in. He told me he was impressed with my arrangements and that I should consider doing them professionally. With that kind of endorsement, I had to think seriously about going into the pop arena. I went home and started booking myself with a backup group and found I really loved it.”

The style Mac developed during the early years of pop concerts has proved durable. Based on classical technique but drawing liberally from jazz and rock idioms, the Mac Frampton sound continues to build a wider audience with each of the concerts he and his group have performed for community, college ,and convention audiences.

His success has spawned more than 20 record albums, a motion picture soundtrack, and unprecedented numbers of return engagements. In the past several years, Frampton has also turned his attention to the creation of musical revues. His efforts have brought to the stage original productions of the music of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Henry Mancini. He is the founder of the Hollywood Hills Orchestra, a 15-member ensemble that specializes in great film music. Mac’s most recent production is “Pop Go The Classics!” showcasing contemporary interpretations of great classical music and featuring a six-piece ensemble.